Power Vent Water Heaters

 

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• The concept of power vents has been around for a long time. The initial models were additional kits that were compatible with standard gas water heaters. They utilized a metal vent and had a blower motor situated near the exhaust point of the house. A wire was connected to the gas control valve of the tank to prevent heating if the blower failed for any reason. Although it's unlikely, if you still have one such system, you'll need to install new PVC venting. These power vent kits were employed when an electric water heater was replaced with a gas water heater after the installation of new gas service in a home or when the home's chimney was removed or inoperable.

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• During the rise of open floor plans in new homes, power vents gained popularity. This coincided with the rise of high-efficiency furnaces that vented through the side of the house using PVC pipes. Now, both the furnace and water heater could be exhausted through the side of the house, eliminating the need for interior walls to hide bulky exhaust venting exiting through the roof. As a result, home builders had to choose between a power vent water heater and an electric water heater. Generally, better builders opted for power vent water heaters since they provide the same amount of hot water at about half the cost of a comparable larger electric tank. 

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• In the past, when older homes with chimneys underwent a high efficiency furnace installation project, a power vent water heater was often added because the chimney doesn't function properly without the furnace being connected. If only a water heater is connected to a chimney, it wouldn't generate enough heat to maintain proper exhaust function. This is known in the industry as "orphaning the water heater" when the furnace is no longer connected to the chimney. To rectify this, a stainless steel flue liner can be installed inside the chimney to reduce the amount of air space required for exhaust removal for a standard gas water heater. Alternatively, an electric water heater can be installed.

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• Power vent water heaters operate similarly to standard tanks. The main difference lies in the fact that the exhaust from a power vent is cooler. However, this is not an indication of superior performance, but rather a result of the blower motor pulling in a significant amount of fresh air to cool the exhaust. Ultimately, the purpose of a power vent is simply to cool the exhaust.

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• When it comes to power vent water heaters, it's important to note that they are only available with a 6-year warranty. You won't be able to find a 12-year warranty power vent option. To ensure longevity, a Bradford White model is your best bet. Not only is their 6-year model self-cleaning, but Bradford White also offers extended warranty options, including power vents with up to 10 years of manufacturer warranty coverage. 

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• Repairing an out-of-warranty power vent water heater can be costly, as the gas valve and motor assembly parts cost over $400 each.

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• If you plan to stay in your home for more than 6 years, a tankless water heater is a better option as it can last three times the lifespan of power vent tanks.

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• A tankless water heater is a safer alternative to a power vent water heater known as a direct vent. Direct vent models draw fresh air from outside the house through a second PVC pipe, just like the exhaust. This process eliminates the need for the combustion air to come from inside the home.

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• Due to the higher cost and shorter lifespans of power vent water heaters. You may want to consider a powered anode rod to extend the life of the tank for 20 years or more.

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The following power vent water heaters are currently available for immediate installation.